Mission: Unstoppable (The Message of Acts)
Acts 1-28
Introduction
Back in the 1980’s the Coca Cola Company made one of the worst decisions in the history of its business. Such was the failure of this decision that had the company not reversed its course, it could have went under. What was this decision that now looks so foolish as to be unthinkable?
The creation of ‘New Coke.’
In the 1980’s anything seen as traditional was thrown out. The world – particularly, the western world wanted what was new and hip. And the new times demanded a new Coke. Something that would excite consumers and lead the company through the end of the 20th century. But there was a backlash. The new Coke was not that good. Many said it tasted like ‘flat Pepsi’ – a cheap imitation of Coke’s archrival. Coke sales plummeted; panic ensued in Atlanta (Coke’s national headquarters).
The Coca Cola company decided to reverse course, pull the new Coke and begin bottling it’s original formula for Coke once again. The marketing campaign was clever – They didn’t just bring back Coke. They brought back Coca Cola Classic. New Coke faded away quickly and though Coke still sells diet, cherry, low-carb and non-caffeinated versions of its classic beverage,
It learned that year after year, nothing sells like the original.
Many in the church have failed to learn the lessons that almost cost Coke its business. They want to monkey with God’s design, trying to improve on it, make it more modern, or post-modern; attempting to make it look relevant and appealing to a new generation. But in the end, what church-goers find is a flat copy of everything the world has to offer. As a result, they are left yearning for the original once again. God’s original, simple design for his people.
The best place to find that design and how it is worked out practically is the book of Acts. Over the next year or so, we will spend time looking at God’s word, seeing how he worked in and through his people during the formative years of his Church. In doing so, we hope to more clearly see the cheap imitations that are all around us for what they are, and seek God’s grace to be what he desires us to be – a passionate, loving, dedicated community of men, women, and children, who have made Jesus their savior, and live as his disciple, seeking to help others become his disciples as well.
Today, we want to orient ourselves to big themes in the book of Acts. And establish a framework for the stories and teaching that we will see in the coming months. In doing so, we not only want to prepare ourselves to see what God did then, we also want to prepare ourselves to see what God is doing now, and how we are called to be a part of that working.
Next week we will look more closely at the author and his purpose in writing. But for now we can say that Acts is the second part of a single work written by Luke. The gospel that bears his name is the first part, and this book Acts is the second. He is picking up right where he left off in the gospel and is writing to show how the gospel of Jesus Christ spread from a handful of Jewish believers to the very ends of the earth.
1. Preach the Gospel
A. Preach for fulfillment of the great commission
Luke reminds us of the apostle’s mission – Jesus says to the 12, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (1:8). Many Christians – our denomination included – view this verse primarily in terms of geography. So, Jerusalem is the city in which you live, Judea and Samaria the State and Country, and of course the ends of the earth, the entire globe.
But, that’s not what Jesus has in mind here. Instead, he is speaking theologically about first-century social boundaries. Jesus is telling them, the gospel will go to their own people the Jews.
Then it will go those Samaritans that were ethnically mixed half-Jews and half-Gentiles. Finally, full-out, pagan Gentiles will hear the gospel through the apostles.
This is exactly what we see happening in Acts. In fact, the book can be outlined according to verse 8, with the progress of the gospel moving from Jerusalem to Judea and to the ends of the earth. In Acts, Luke shows us that by God’s direction and empowerment, the apostles were obedient to the task God had called them.
B. Preach for the growth of God’s kingdom
The result of the gospel being taken to the ends of the earth is the growth of the Church. While it is certainly true that not everyone who heard the gospel believed, the evangelistic preaching of the apostles did bring results.
- Acts 2:41 – So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
- Acts 2:47 – praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
- Acts 5:14 – And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
- Acts 6:7 – And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
- Acts 9:31 – So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
- Acts 11:24 – And a great many people were added to the Lord.
This is what happens when Christians share the gospel – people respond, and God’s Church grows.
This is where the title of our series comes into play. I love watching the old Mission Impossible television series. My dad used to tell me about my grandma and him watching it together when it was first broadcast. He said my grandma used to pick her lip and get all upset because it looked like they were going to get caught and not make it. I thought that was funny until I started watching the series. Even though I knew they wouldn’t kill off any of the main characters, I find myself tensed up during the third act where something goes wrong and the IMF team is in serious trouble and looks like they are all about to get caught.
As you read the book of Acts you may be tempted to do the same thing. You see Jesus giving them this enormous task – preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. And you see roadblock after roadblock and you think, ‘How are the apostles going to handle this? What’s the Church going to do about that?’ And what you find time after time, chapter after chapter is that the mission God has called them to is not impossible, but unstoppable. Nothing can stop the progress of the gospel; nothing can stop the growth of God’s kingdom; nothing can stop God’s plan to save people from every people, tribe, language and nation. Not even the Roman government – the most powerful nation in existence at the time – can stop God’s work of the gospel.
This is exciting because as Christians, we inherit the same calling as Jesus’ apostles. It’s exciting to know that we are part of that unstoppable mission to make disciples of all nations. So as we read about the courage and boldness of these Spirit-filled Christians, we should see that, not just as foundations for the church, but models and example for us to follow.
2. See God Working
A. See his providential control
The book of Acts presents example after example of God’s providential control. In Acts 2, Peter preaches Christ to his country saying, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:22-24).
Peter clearly places the blame for the killing of Jesus on the Jews who handed him to the Romans and the Romans who crucified. But is also quick to say that what these men did, they did “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.” Acts show beyond a reasonable doubt that God is in control. He is sovereignly working out his plan in history for his glory and the good of his people.
More than just the good of their salvation, God also shows in providential in caring for his people and growing his church. In Acts 5, we read that some of the apostles “were arrested and put … in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ‘Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life’” (5:18-20). Later in Acts 16, we see Paul and Silas in prison as well. There, we read about a “great earthquake, [that shook] the foundations of the prison. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.” One time, God sends an angel, the other he causes an earthquake. But times, he is demonstrating his sovereign control over all the heavens and the earth, and his commitment to his people’s good and his kingdom’s growth.
B. See his fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy
After Christ rose from the dead, the scales as it were fell from the disciples’ eyes and they began to see with clarity that plan of God being worked out around them. Part of this was the fulfilling of what God has prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures. Specifically, the apostles show that,
- In fulfillment of Joel 2, God poured out his Spirit on all people at Pentecost.
- In fulfillment of Isaiah 53, Jesus would come as a lamb led to the slaughter as a sacrifice for his people.
- In fulfillment of Psalm 16, Jesus came as the Messianic Son of David, and God raised him back to life after his crucifixion.
- In fulfillment of Psalm 118, Jesus’ own people would reject him as Messiah, though he was the chief cornerstone of their salvation.
- In fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, Gentiles would turn to Jesus as Savior.
Do not misunderstand what prophecy is all about. It’s not as if God just knows what is going to happen. In his omniscience – his all-knowing – he does know what will happen. But more than just knowing, he ordains. That prophecy is fulfilled, because God brings it about. Thus, prophecy is not so much knowing what will happen, as much as God saying, this is what I am going to bring about. The book of Acts is clear that God exercises his sovereignty as he brings about the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
C. See his calling to salvation
Perhaps the most glorious display of God’s sovereignty is seen in his calling people to salvation.
From start to finish, salvation is seen as an act of God’s grace.
- God calls people to repent through the gospel– “Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (2:38-39).
- God grants repentance – “When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life’” (11:18).
- God appoints eternal life – “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (13:48).
- God opens the door of faith – “And when they … gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles” (14:27).
- God opens hearts to respond to the gospel – “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” (16:14).
When Paul was in Corinth, he was discouraged and about to give up. But God one night, God spoke to him in a vision saying, “‘Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people’ (18:9-10). God tells Paul, ‘Don’t give up – I’ve chosen to save many in this city and want you to be the means to do it; preach the gospel in Corinth.’ What was Paul’s response to the reality of God’s sovereignty in salvation? Luke tells us, “[Paul] he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (18:11).
If the salvation of the lost depended on us and our ability to preach well, or if the salvation of the lost depended on their ability to discern spiritual and overcome their sin nature, then no one would be saved.
The truth that gets us up in the morning; the truth that emboldens us in preaching the gospel; is the truth that God is sovereign in salvation. It’s like telling an old fisherman that the fish are biting in the lake that day – Knowing God is author of salvation should excite us to throw our line in and start fishing for men.
3. Live as the Body of Christ
One of the most amazing things about Acts is the description given to the Church. Though not without its problems, the picture presented of God’s people in Acts is one of a loving Christ-centered community, worshipping God in spirit and truth, caring for one another with compassion and grace, preaching and living out the gospel in the midst of sin-ravaged culture.
Several things marked the church as the body of Christ.
A. Live in unity
Over and over again, we see what true fellowship looks like from the early church. Over and over again, Luke tells us that God’s people lived in unity with one another. Soon after God’s dramatically pours out his Spirit at Pentecost we read, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,” (Acts 2:44-46).
Again, in Acts 4:32 – “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.”
B. Live by prayer
Fourteen out of the first fifteen chapters of Acts and many of the later chapters give prominence to the place of prayer in the life of God’s people. As soon as Jesus ascended to heaven we read that, “they returned to Jerusalem … and … Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (1:12-14).
Moreover at every major turning point in the book of Acts, we read that God’s people were in prayer.
- They pray for wisdom as they choose Matthias to replace Judas (1:24);
- the Holy Spirit comes on Pentecost while 120 disciples are in prayer (1:14);
- the gospel moves forward among the Samaritans with prayer (8:14);
- Paul receives his calling to go to the Gentiles in the midst of prayer (9:11);
- Cornelius is praying when he receives a vision from God telling him
We have spent so much time talking about prayer, I cannot help but think that at least some of you are sick of hearing about it. But its clear from several things – especially our low attendance for our prayer service – that we have yet to see just how important prayer is for our lives.
If you haven’t seen it already, as we look to the book of Acts, you will see how the vital prayer is to the body of Christ. You will see how the power and growth of the early church came from prayer. Because through prayer, the power of God itself came down upon God’s people. Likewise, we must learn to be a people of prayer.
C. Live with persecution
The early Christians get threatened, beat up, mocked, kicked out of the temple and synagogues – they are mistreated in every way you can think of. But, again, this should be seen as normal for the Church.
Conclusion
Ajith Fernando is a Bible teacher and director of youth for Christ in Sri Lanka. He shows how cheap imitation of the world in the name of presenting a new church can be remedied if we simply look at the book of Acts. Its message is timely and desperately needed today. He says,
To a society where individualism reigns and where the church also seems to have adopted a style of community life that “guards the privacy of the individual,” the early church presents a radical community where the members held all things in common.
To a society where selfishness is sometimes admired and each one is left to fend for himself or herself, Acts presents a group of Christians who were so committed to Christ and the cause of the gospel that they were willing to sacrifice their desires for the good of others.
To a society where pluralism defines truth as something subjective and personal, Acts presents a church that based its life on certain objective facts about God and Christ—facts that were not only personally true but also universally valid and therefore had to be presented to the entire world.
To a society that denies absolute truth and therefore shuns apologetics and persuasion in evangelism in favor of dialogue, Acts presents a church that persuaded people until they were convinced of the truth of the gospel. Instead of aiming at mutual enrichment as the main aim of inter-religious encounter, as many do today, the early church proclaimed Christ as supreme Lord with conversion in view….
In an age when many churches spend so much time, money, and energy on self-preservation and improvement, Acts presents churches that released their most capable people for reaching the lost.
In an age where many churches look to excellence in techniques to bring success, Acts presents a church that depended on the Holy Spirit and gave top priority to prayer and moral purity.
In an age when many avenues are available to avoid suffering and therefore many Christians have left out suffering from their understanding of the Christian life, Acts presents a church that took on suffering for the cause of Christ and considered it a basic ingredient of discipleship.
Let us begin praying that God will speak to our minds and hearts in the coming months, and lead us back to a view of ourselves as his people – his church – that doesn’t try to improve on the original we will see, but will embrace the original pattern found in Acts with humility and passion. So that our lives will be changed and God’s kingdom will grow by the power of the gospel.
